Chapter 18- The Eighteenth Century: European States, International Wars, and Social Change
Overarching Ideas 1. A new world order was slowly being formed, consisting of five major powers that would shape future events for the next two centuries: France, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria.
2. The main drive of monarchs in the eighteenth century was the push to enlarge their buraucracies and consolidate power, often through costly wars.
3. Sustained population growth, and changes in finance, trade, industry, and the growth of poverty created tensions that undermined the traditional foundations of European society.
4. A revolutionary outburst began at the end of the eighteenth century because of the inability of the old monarchy to deal with the problems mentioned above.
Essential Questions
1. How did the philosophe ideas of the 18th century and the concepts of enlightened absolutism conflict with many monarchs own attempts to consolidate power through war, law codes, etc.
2. How can it be argued that the 18th century was the last century of the "old order"? How did the ideas of the French Revolution influence this change?
3. To what degree did balance of power and reason of state influence international diplomacy in the 1700's?
4. How did popular dissatisfaction in regard to uneven class structure and wealth distribution change the way people were thinking about social and political ideas?
In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes argued for rule by an absolute sovereign, or a monarch who held absolute power over his people. The monarch would also be obligated to fulfill a social contract with his people, thereby allowing absolutism to coexist with the wishes of the people. Unfortunately, many monarch's interpretation of absolutism as per Hobbes' book did not benefit the advance of government. Their constant spending and often wasteful addiction to the fine pleasures of life(material things), led to the government financial instability that most likely influenced the onset of the the revolutions of this time period (namely the French). This is because of the uneven distribution of wealth, something Hobbes did not advocate. Because of their own inadequacy in following the governmental plans laid out for them, monarch's often dictated power to their advisors. Most governments most closely resembled absolutism, although they themselves were not examples of successful absolutism.
It is no easier to see Europe's preoccupation with social standing than in how children were portrayed during this time period. Because everyone in the upper classes were expected to act prim and proper at all times, children were seen as miniature adults. All adults were expected to follow proper forms of etiquette (as well as children), and these became exacting, down to controlling one's entire adult social life, as was seen in the carelessness of the royal family during the court intrigues of Versailles. When this extended to governmental control, problems arose. Louis XV's involvement in these affairs most likely led to his ignorance of French debt, which gave the French people a reason to revolt. Europe's preoccupation with social norms led to decreased concern on the character of a person.
Relevant Map of the Time Period
*Map of Europe after the Treaty of Utrecht
This map deals primarily with the concept of balance of power. After the War of Spanish Succession, Europe was in disarray. One of the main provisions of the treaty was the assurance that the Spanish and French thrones would be kept separate, a section ratified because of the fear of any one country becoming too powerful. Also, the treaty established reason of state as a primary concern of the major European powers until the French Revolution.
Chapter 18- The Eighteenth Century: European States, International Wars, and Social Change
Overarching Ideas
1. A new world order was slowly being formed, consisting of five major powers that would shape future events for the next two centuries: France, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria.
2. The main drive of monarchs in the eighteenth century was the push to enlarge their buraucracies and consolidate power, often through costly wars.
3. Sustained population growth, and changes in finance, trade, industry, and the growth of poverty created tensions that undermined the traditional foundations of European society.
4. A revolutionary outburst began at the end of the eighteenth century because of the inability of the old monarchy to deal with the problems mentioned above.
Essential Questions
1. How did the philosophe ideas of the 18th century and the concepts of enlightened absolutism conflict with many monarchs own attempts to consolidate power through war, law codes, etc.
2. How can it be argued that the 18th century was the last century of the "old order"? How did the ideas of the French Revolution influence this change?
3. To what degree did balance of power and reason of state influence international diplomacy in the 1700's?
4. How did popular dissatisfaction in regard to uneven class structure and wealth distribution change the way people were thinking about social and political ideas?
Primary Sources
Written source: http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/hobbes/leviathan-b.html#CHAPTERX
In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes argued for rule by an absolute sovereign, or a monarch who held absolute power over his people. The monarch would also be obligated to fulfill a social contract with his people, thereby allowing absolutism to coexist with the wishes of the people. Unfortunately, many monarch's interpretation of absolutism as per Hobbes' book did not benefit the advance of government. Their constant spending and often wasteful addiction to the fine pleasures of life(material things), led to the government financial instability that most likely influenced the onset of the the revolutions of this time period (namely the French). This is because of the uneven distribution of wealth, something Hobbes did not advocate. Because of their own inadequacy in following the governmental plans laid out for them, monarch's often dictated power to their advisors. Most governments most closely resembled absolutism, although they themselves were not examples of successful absolutism.
Visual source: http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/thumbnail/253824/1/The-John-Bacon-Family.jpg
It is no easier to see Europe's preoccupation with social standing than in how children were portrayed during this time period. Because everyone in the upper classes were expected to act prim and proper at all times, children were seen as miniature adults. All adults were expected to follow proper forms of etiquette (as well as children), and these became exacting, down to controlling one's entire adult social life, as was seen in the carelessness of the royal family during the court intrigues of Versailles. When this extended to governmental control, problems arose. Louis XV's involvement in these affairs most likely led to his ignorance of French debt, which gave the French people a reason to revolt. Europe's preoccupation with social norms led to decreased concern on the character of a person.
Relevant Map of the Time Period
*Map of Europe after the Treaty of Utrecht
This map deals primarily with the concept of balance of power. After the War of Spanish Succession, Europe was in disarray. One of the main provisions of the treaty was the assurance that the Spanish and French thrones would be kept separate, a section ratified because of the fear of any one country becoming too powerful. Also, the treaty established reason of state as a primary concern of the major European powers until the French Revolution.
Terms to know
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